Recruiting: Michigan in good position for CB Jabrill Peppers

May 20, 2013

Jabrill Peppers / Courtesy of rivals.com

Written by

Tim Sullivan

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

Michigan fans have grown accustomed to strong recruiting since coach Brady Hoke arrived in 2011. His first class, an amalgam between his staff’s recruiting efforts and those of the previous coaches, finished No. 21 nationally. The 2012 ranked No. 7. The 2013 group finished No. 5 in the country. This year’s class looks poised to rival, if not beat, those classes. With nine commitments so far in a projected class of 16-18 prospects, the U-M coaches have the No. 7 class in the country, according to rivals.com.

And a big boost could be coming. Paramus (N.J.) Catholic cornerback Jabrill Peppers plans to make his college commitment on live television Sunday. The No. 2 player in the country is favoring Michigan after a strong spring visit to Ann Arbor.

"The coaching staff is very down to earth," the 6-foot-1, 210-poundersaid of the trip. "They are very cool, laid-back people, but when it's time to work, it is time to work. They coach those players hard, which I love. The main thing I liked about them was that they reminded me of my coaches right now.

"I was only there for a couple of hours, and I felt like I was at home. Coach Hoke is a very down-to-earth guy, but he is also going to coach you up and make sure you are on the right path. It was a great experience."

Peppers is the second-ranked prospect in the nation, behind Woodbridge (Va.) defensive end Da’Shawn Hand (who also is considering the Wolverines). Even if Peppers can’t pass Hand as the top prospect in the nation, he’d still be the highest-ranked recruit Michigan has signed, surpassing quarterback Drew Henson in 1998.

“The top-end talent this year is exceptional,” said rivals.com national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell. “I could see Peppers move up to No. 1, or I could see somebody else end up No. 1. At the end of the day, I don’t think Michigan cares about rankings. Just getting him is a treat for your defense.”

Peppers also is considering Notre Dame, Ohio State, Stanford, Alabama and LSU, but the Wolverines, Penn State and Rutgers — the latter two being late arrivals to his list — seem to be in the strongest positions. Peppers’ teammate Juwann Bushell-Beatty already is committed to U-M’s 2014 class.

Should the five-star select Michigan, the Wolverines’ recruiting ranking would move up to No. 3 nationally, behind only Texas and Notre Dame.

Tim Sullivan is the football recruiting editor of The Wolverine magazine and thewolverine.com. He is also a contributor to national football recruiting coverage on the rivals.com network. You can follow him on Twitter @tims_wolverine.